FORGOTTEN FIRST LOVE // TAEJIN

17. Cold

17. Cold

"Taehyung, we should stop this."

The words rang on Taehyung's ears. He saw this coming. He expected this since he last saw Seokjin in his home - Seokjin's shared home with Jimin. A sigh escaped his lips. Taehyung never wanted it to be like this, because if he is being completely honest, he wants Seokjin to be with him. Ditch Jimin, and Jin will run away with him to the ends of the world.

But he knew that Seokjin is not like that. He will stay committed to a relationship, and Taehyung is a witness to that. Seokjin stayed with him even though he treated him poorly, and that gives him the impression that Seokjin would rather not want to see him because 1. Jimin treats him good and 2. Jimin will never hurt him - unlike Taehyung.

"I can't ... I just can't hurt Jimin like this. This is just a phase. I know I will get over you soon. I just met you, while ... w-while I am with Jimin for a year now, and I know him for three years. I-I am so sorry if you felt like I lead you on -"

Taehyung shushed him gently and reached for Seokjin's hand using his thumb to caress it. He took in the warmth that he can feel right of this moment, because he knew that his clock is ticking; that once Seokjin stood up and leave the café, he will never see or hear anything from the said man again.

And even though it is painful that the hurt is just as same as losing a limb, he needs to endure it because he brought this dilemma to himself. If he only took good care of Seokjin from the first moment that they got together as a couple, then none of this will have to happen. So, it's all on him. he lost the chance to be with Seokjin and this is the consequences of what he did in the past.

And just like what he promised, the moment that Jin will tell him that he is not in love with Taehyung, then he will give him up and let Seokjin be happy with Jimin.

"Shhh, love it's okay. Look at me ..." He said the older looked at him eye to eye.

Seokjin was at a loss of breath when he saw that there is no amount of hate in Taehyung's eyes instead, he saw understanding and ... regret?

"Love, just this one time, tell me ... Did you love me? Within that time frame up until now, do you love me?"

Taehyung sounded desperate, but he needs to hear them from Seokjin. Maybe after hearing the bitter truth, he will be able to let Jin go. He held him tighter, trying so hard not to cry. He badly wants to stop the time and just cage Seokjin so he can never leave.

"Love -"

"Don't." Seokjin closed his eyes and pulled his hand away. He grabbed his bag and stood up. "I don't love you. Just like what I said earlier, this is just a phase. I just found your company entertaining and because Jimin is gone and I felt lonely, I resorted on you mistaking what I feel to love and affection. I am sorry, Taehyung. I don't love you. I didn't love you in the first place."

Slowly he walked away.

Out from the coffee shop.

Out from Taehyung's life.

Tae bit his lip and clutched his fists. He is stopping himself from running after Jin. He made a vow, and he is staying true to that vow. He will let Seokjin go even if it hurts him to the core.

His gaze followed Seokjin and that is when he noticed that Jimin is waiting outside by his car. Seokjin walked inside and never looked back at him again. His eye landed on Jimin, and unlike Seokjin the man was staring straight to his eye and with a smirk, he drove off bringing Seokjin with him.

He said that when this day comes, he will just do what he needs to do. He has never prepared himself for this. At the back of his mind, he is certain that Seokjin will still pick him over Jimin because the heart remembers even though the brain won't, but he is too late.